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Imine Metathesis by Silica-Supported Catalysts Using the Methodology of Surface Organometallic Chemistry
Published on: October 18, 2019
Single-Pot Reductive Rearrangement of Furfural to Cyclopentanone over Silica-Supported Pd Catalysts
Nandan S Date1,2, Sharda E Kondawar1, Rajeev C Chikate2
1Chemical Engineering and Process Development Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune 411008, India.
A novel palladium catalyst on fumed silica efficiently converts furfural to cyclopentanone. This fumed silica catalyst offers high selectivity for cyclopentanone, unlike other supports, enabling tunable product formation.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Green Chemistry
- Organic Synthesis
Background:
- Furfural is a renewable platform chemical derived from biomass.
- Selective conversion of furfural to valuable products like cyclopentanone is challenging.
- Heterogeneous catalysis offers a sustainable route for chemical transformations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate direct one-pot hydrogenation of furfural to cyclopentanone.
- To explore the effect of silica-supported palladium catalysts on selectivity.
- To understand the role of support properties and reaction parameters in product formation.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of various silica-supported Pd catalysts.
- Hydrogenation reactions conducted in a one-pot system.
- Analysis of products using techniques like X-ray diffraction and TEM.
Main Results:
- 4% Pd on fumed silica (4%Pd/f-SiO2) achieved ~98% furfural conversion and ~89% cyclopentanone selectivity.
- Fumed silica support promoted selectivity towards cyclopentanone via rearrangement.
- Other supports yielded ring and side-chain hydrogenation products due to Brønsted acidity.
Conclusions:
- Fumed silica is a superior support for selective furfural to cyclopentanone hydrogenation.
- Catalyst support and reaction conditions (temperature, H2 pressure) can be tuned for desired product selectivity.
- A plausible reaction pathway for selective cyclopentanone formation was proposed.
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